Polishing apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to apparatus for polishing a running base that comprises a blade with two opposing blade edges separated one from the other by an intermediate section; the polishing apparatus comprising: a support body, and blade alignment guide means; wherein the support body is capable of carrying a polishing surface which comprises: a profile which is adapted to conform with one or more portions of the intermediate section; and wherein the blade alignment guide means comprise one or more pairs of first and second blade alignment guides, which first and second blade alignment guides in each pair are separated from each other by the polishing surface, and further wherein the blade alignment guide means is adapted to receive and/or guide and/or constrain a running base so that when the intermediate section between the two edges of the running base is brought into contact with the polishing surface, there is no contact between the polishing surface and any part of the two opposing blade edges of the running base.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with polishing apparatus,particularly for improving the performance of a running base and furtherparticularly for improving the speed and gliding characteristics ofrunning bases when they run over water, snow or ice surfaces orartificial materials that mimic these surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many examples of running bases for running over water, snow orice and artificial materials that mimic these surfaces, including alltypes of skis, surf boards, snowboards, toboggans, bob sleighs, dogsleds, luge sleds, snow mobiles, snow bikes and all types of bladed iceskates.

Ice skating, in one of form or another, has been around for manycenturies with animal bones and wood being fixed to the base of bootsand used as runners long before the discovery of metal. Today's iceskates appear deceptively simple, a metal blade fixed to the sole of aboot, but there is far more subtlety in the engineering for this thanmeets the eye.

Firstly, the overall shape of the ice skate blade is chosen to suit thetype of ice skating that is to be performed, for example ice hockey, icedancing, bandy skating, figure skating and speed skating. Figure anddance skates generally include a toe pick to assist in jumps, spins andstops, and have a short tail at the back. The base of the figure anddance blade is also slightly curved toe to heel (the rocker), and has aradius of curvature of about 2 m. Hockey skates, on the other hand, aredesigned for speed and maneuverability and are generally shorter thanfigure blades and are without a toe pick or tail. Their rocker is alsoflatter, toe to heel, with a larger radius of curvature of typicallybetween 3.35 and 3.96 m. Speed-skates are different again; these areconsiderably longer than figure and hockey skates, and are substantiallyflat, toe to heel, i.e. they have no rocker at all.

Secondly, unlike the blade of a knife, the bottom of a running base hastwo opposing sharp edges along its length. These opposing sharp edgesare separated one from the other by an intermediate section. In the caseof skis, surf boards, snowboards, toboggans, bob sleighs, dog sleds,luge sleds, snow mobiles, snow bikes and speed skates this intermediatesection is substantially flat, and in the case of other types of iceskates, e.g. figure, bandy and hockey skates, this intermediate sectionis traditionally a crescent-shaped hollow that is ground into theunderside of the skate blade. In all of the abovementioned runningbases, the opposing sharp edges are created by the two extreme points ofthe intermediate section, be it flat or crescent shaped. When the hollowis crescent shaped also its depth is varied depending on whether theblade is going to be used for figure or hockey skating. The depth isdetermined by the radius of hollow (ROH), with a deeper hollow beingproduced by a smaller ROH; this achieves more grip, as required byfigure skaters, and figure skate blades typically have a ROH in therange 11.11 to 15.9 mm. Hockey skate blades generally need to be faster,so the hollow is shallower and the radius of hollow (ROH) is larger,typically 25.4 to 50.8 mm.

To ensure that a running base is able to give optimum performance, it isimportant to maintain well-sharpened blade edges. This is typicallyachieved using a jig to hold the running base still, and for runningbases with substantially flat intermediate section, sharpening isachieved by rubbing a flat sharpening stone across the intermediatesection and the blade edges of the running base. For hollow groundrunning bases one uses a rotating abrasive wheel, dressed with anabrasive material such as silicon carbide or aluminium oxide, tore-grind both the intermediate section and, crucially, the edges, so asto provide a pair of opposing sharpened blade edges. However, thesegrinding operations are relatively expensive, and the blade edge doesnot stay sharp for very long before another regrind has to be performed.Furthermore, the re-grind process removes relatively large amounts ofmetal from the blade and repeated re-grinding wears the running basevery quickly and this, of course, means that new blades need to bebought on a frequent basis. Another problem, particularly for hollowground skates is that due to the coarseness of the abrasive used,re-grinding leaves the surface of the intermediate section in a roughcondition, with pronounced ridges and scratches which interfere with theability of the underside of the blade, particularly the hollow or theintermediate section, to run smoothly over the ice.

This problem is apparently overcome by U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,785 whichdescribes a method and tool for finishing sharpened skate blades,involving rubbing all of the sharpened skate blade surfaces (i.e. theintermediate section) and the sharpened edges, against a strip ofleather. However, because both of the blade edges as well as the hollow(the intermediate section) are contacted with the leather, problems arecaused such as the dulling of the sharpness of the two opposing bladeedges. U.S. Pat. No. 3,164,932 suffers a similar problem, as does U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,815,240 and 5,445,050.

Canadian patent document CA1159484A1 describes polishing the iceengaging surface of the blade which is intermediate the side edges ofthe blade, to achieve a mirror-finish. Unlike the prior art discussedabove, this Canadian method appreciates the need to avoid polishing theedges of the blade in order to maintain their sharpness. However,problems using the described apparatus are still likely to occur: inparticular, the polishing element described in CA1159484A1 has acircumferential edge with a relatively small width in order to avoidcontact with the two opposing blade edges of the blade, but this willmake it difficult for the operator to control the polishing elementwithin the ground hollow and it is very likely that it will slip roundand inadvertently contact the edges of the blade. Moreover, theapparatus as described, is clearly for use on a workbench or the likeand is not adapted to be used by the skater at the ice rink.

The aim of the present invention is to provide apparatus which is costeffective to produce and quick and easy to use. A key purpose of thepresent invention is enable the intermediate section between the twoopposing blade edges of a running base and particularly of any ice skateblade (i.e. not limited to a figure or ice dance skate, a hockey orbandy skate or a speed-skate) to be evenly, controllably and reliablypolished, whilst at the same time at least substantially, and preferablycompletely, avoiding doing anything that would cause detriment to thetwo opposing blade edges of the blade. Advantageously, the apparatus ofthe present invention will comprise controlling means to control theorientation of the polishing apparatus relative to the intermediatesection, for example, the apparatus of the present invention will beable to be easily and reliably centred between the blade edges. It isalso an aim of the present invention to provide apparatus that iscapable of delivering a degree of polishing that is superior to thatconventionally delivered by prior art polishing apparatus. It is yetanother aim to produce apparatus which includes a polishing surface thatcan be easily renewed to ensure the re-use and longevity of thepolishing apparatus of the present invention.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide polishingapparatus which is convenient for a skater to use at the side of the icerink, particularly without the need for extra specialist tooling, clampsor a work bench, although the polishing apparatus can be adapted for use(e.g. mounted) on a work bench or similar if desired. Moreover, thepresent invention aims to provide apparatus that can be operatedentirely manually. In an alternative version the polishing apparatus canbe largely manually operated with additional electrically drivenvibration or reciprocal motion to enhance the performance of thepolishing apparatus. In a further alternative version the polishingapparatus can be entirely electrically operated.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the first embodiment, the present invention therefore provides apolishing apparatus, preferably a hand held apparatus, for treating arunning base that comprises a blade with two opposing blade edgesseparated one from the other by an intermediate section; the polishingapparatus comprising:

-   -   a support body, and blade alignment guide means;    -   wherein the support body is capable of carrying a polishing        surface which comprises:    -   a profile which is adapted to conform with one or more portions        of the intermediate section which separates the two opposing        blade edges; and    -   wherein the blade alignment guide means comprise one or more        pairs of first and second blade alignment guides which first and        second blade alignment guides in each pair are separated from        each other by the polishing surface; and    -   further wherein the blade alignment guide means is adapted for        receiving, guiding and constraining a running base to ensure        that when the polishing surface and the intermediate section        between the two opposing blade edges of the received running        base are brought into contact with one another, there is no        contact between any portion of the polishing surface and any        part of the two opposing blade edges of the running base.

Preferably, the polishing surface is configured such that when it is incontact with the one or more portions of the intermediate section, thereis no simultaneous contact between the polishing surface and the twoopposing blade edges. Further preferably, the polishing surface fitsbetween the two opposing blade edges. Yet further preferably, thedimension of the polishing surface which extends between the twoopposing blade edges is no larger (i.e. it is the same or smaller) thanthe dimension of the intermediate section which extends between the twoopposing edges.

The intermediate section which separates the opposing blade edges may beat least substantially flat, as found, for example in speed skateblades, certain designs of hockey skates, toboggans, bob sleds, dogsleds, skis, snow boards, surf boards, snow mobiles and snow bikes. In apreferred embodiment, the intermediate section may be formed by a hollowground in the base of a skate blade. The hollow may be have a curved orconcave surface, such as rounded or semi-circular, and as discussedabove, this type of profile, i.e. with a radius of hollow, is typicallyused on figure, dance, bandy and traditional hockey ice skates. Morerecently however, hollows with straight edge sections in their profilehave been developed, for example for ice hockey skates. These new hollowprofiles typically comprise a flat base region, and examples include theBFD™ profile developed by Blackmaster, and the Flat bottom V™ profiledeveloped by Blackstone Sports. However, all profiles of hollow andintermediate section are able to be polished using the polishingapparatus of the present invention, no matter what type of running baseis being polished.

In a second embodiment, the invention provides polishing apparatus fortreating a running base that comprises a hollow ground blade, thepolishing apparatus comprising:

-   -   a support body, and blade alignment guide means;    -   wherein the support body is capable of carrying a polishing        surface which comprises:    -   a profile which is adapted to conform with one or more portions        of the hollow ground in a running base;    -   wherein the blade alignment guide means comprise one or more        pairs of first and second blade alignment guides which first and        second blade alignment guides in each pair are separated from        each other by the polishing surface and further wherein the        blade alignment guide means is adapted for receiving, guiding        and constraining an running base to ensure that when the        polishing surface and the hollow ground between the two opposing        blade edges of the running base are brought into contact with        one another, there is no contact between any portion of the        polishing surface and any part of the two opposing blade edges        of the running base.

Preferably, the polishing surface is configured such that when it is incontact with the one or more portions of the intermediate section, thereis no simultaneous contact between the polishing surface and the twoopposing blade edges. Further preferably, the polishing surface fitsbetween the two opposing blade edges. Yet further preferably, thedimension of the polishing surface which extends between the twoopposing blade edges is no larger (i.e. it is the same or smaller) thanthe dimension of the intermediate section which extends between the twoopposing edges.

It will be appreciated that the polishing apparatus of the presentinvention is in no way similar to the coarsely dressed grinding wheelswhich are used to sharpen running bases, for example ice skate blades;moreover, it is clear that the polishing apparatus of the presentinvention treats a running base to produce a very different end resultfrom the dressed grinding wheel. As discussed above, a dressed grindingwheel is used to remove relatively large quantities of metal from allareas of the underside of a running base (particularly an ice skateblade), i.e. the intermediate section, the hollow ground in the bladeand also the two opposing blade edges of the running base. Further, theprincipal purpose of using a dressed grinding wheel is to sharpen thetwo opposing blade edges of a running base by re-grinding the radius ofhollow. By contrast, the apparatus of the present invention preferablyremoves only minimal amounts of metal from the intermediate section ofthe running base, to produce an intermediate section with a surfacewhich is smooth, i.e. not rough, and preferably mirror polished.

As noted above, an essential feature of the polishing apparatus of thepresent invention is that when a running base is received by the bladealignment guide means and guided to enable the intermediate section tocontact the polishing surface, there is no contact between the polishingsurface and any part of the two opposing blade edges. In this way, thetwo opposing blade edges of the running base are not harmed or dulled bythe polishing apparatus of the present invention and the quality of thelateral grip between the running base (specifically the two opposingblade edges) and running surface (snow or ice) can be maintained.Another essential feature is the provision of blade alignment guidemeans which comprise one or more pairs of first and second bladealignment guides. Preferably, the first and second blade alignmentguides in each of the one or more pairs, cooperate together to form oneor more zones (edge relief zones), which may be in the form of channelsor slots. The one or more pairs of first and second blade alignmentguides are adapted to receive guide and constrain the running base sothat the two opposing blade edges are received within the edge reliefzones during use of the polishing apparatus of the present invention.Preferably the one or more edge relief zones are axially alignedparallel with the longitudinal axis of a received running base.

The one or more pairs of first and second blade alignment guides arealso useful to receive a running base and to guide and constrain therunning base so that the intermediate section which separates and ispreferably between the two opposing blade edges is correctly oriented tobe in contact with the polishing surface, but without any part of thetwo opposing blade edges of the running base also being contacted by thepolishing surface. To further ensure that the two opposing blade edgesof the running base are undamaged by the polishing apparatus, it ispreferred that as well as the blade edges not coming into contact withany part of the polishing surface, the blade edges will preferably notcome into contact with any of the one or more pairs of first and secondblade alignment guides, and/or the support body, and/or any part of thepolishing apparatus which is made of a material that is harder than theblade, and/or any material which causes detriment to two opposing edgesof the blade. In addition, the apparatus of the present inventionpreferably further comprises blade edge relief means, which preferablycomprises first and second blade edge relief zones, which may be in theform of channels. Importantly, the first and second blade edge reliefzones do not comprise any part of the polishing surface. Preferably, thefirst blade edge relief zone is disposed intermediate between a firstblade alignment guide in a pair of alignment guides and the polishingsurface, and the second blade edge relief zone is disposed intermediatebetween a second blade alignment guide in the same pair of alignmentguides and the polishing surface; and wherein the first blade edgerelief zone is adapted to receive one of the two opposing blade edges ofthe running base, and the second blade edge relief zone is adapted toreceive the other of the two opposing blade edges of the running base.

Further preferably, the polishing apparatus according to the presentinvention has a polishing surface that also comprises one or more raisedelements which protrude from the polishing surface. Ideally the raisedelements are configured to conform to the shape of one or more portionsof the intermediate section, such that when the polishing surface andthe intermediate section are brought into contact with one another, andthere is no contact between the polishing surface (or the one or moreraised elements) and any part of the two opposing blade edges of therunning base.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a polishing apparatus asdescribed above, wherein the polishing surface further comprises apolishing material disposed on the support body. The polishing materialmay comprise any material which provides performance enhancementbenefits to a running base. This can include but is not limited to aburnishing material, a cutter, a layer of silica, diamond, aluminiumoxide, silicon carbide, emery (impure corundum), calcite, calciumcarbonate, aluminium oxide, silicon carbide, silicon dioxide or ceriumoxide, lapping abrasives, polishing and/or abrasive in a paste, or aliquid form or a grinding compound disposed on the support body. Thesupport body may be made of any suitable material, such as a polymer,and the polishing material may be adhered to or embedded into thesurface of the support body.

Alternatively, the polishing surface comprises a coating of a polishingmaterial disposed on a first surface of one or more substrate bodies, toproduce one or more coated substrate bodies which are adapted to becarried by the support body. Optionally, one or more of the coatedsubstrate bodies is removable from the support body, and furtheroptionally one or more coated substrate bodies is replaceable with oneor more further similar coated substrate bodies. When carried by thesupport body, the one or more coated substrate bodies are oriented sothat their coated surface (i.e. the polishing surface) is directed awayfrom the support body.

Conveniently, the one or more coated substrate bodies described abovecomprise one or more sheets coated on a first surface (or side) with thepolishing material (hereafter, “coated sheets”). The coated sheet mayalso comprise a non-coated second surface (or side) (hereafter referredto as the “non-coated surface”). Alternatively, the coated substratebody may comprise a coated continuous loop of substrate material, forexample of the type used in a belt sanding or polishing machine. Furtheralternatively, the coated substrate body is a coated circumferential rimof a polishing wheel.

Preferably, at least one of the coated sheets comprises a pattern, forexample, of one or more elements (which may or may not be interlockingand which may or may not be in the form of fingers) which is cut intoit. When opposing edges of the at least one cut coated sheet is foldedin a direction sub-horizontally away from its coated first surface(hereafter referred to as the “coated surface”), the one or moreelements are caused to protrude from, or extend out of the plane of, thecoated surface of the folded coated sheet to thereby form one or moreraised (or protruding) elements which are adapted to engage with one ormore portions of the intermediate section of the running base and,critically, not any part of the two opposing blade edges of the runningbase when a running base is received by the blade alignment guide means.

Ideally, the raised or protruding elements are resiliently deformablewhen they engage one or more portions of the intermediate section. Thepattern of elements is conveniently cut into the at least one of theplurality of sheets of coated material using any known manually ormechanically operable cutting means, for example scissors, scalpelblade, guillotine, water jet cutting, a punching machine or lasercutting machine.

Advantageously, the polishing apparatus according to the presentinvention comprises one or a plurality of coated sheets which areoverlaid one on top of each other in a stack which is carried by thesupport body. The coated first side of each coated sheet in the stack isdirected away from the support body and the coated first surface of thecoated sheet stacked furthest away from the support body forms thepolishing surface. Preferably, this means that the polishing surface isformed by the coated first surface of the topmost sheet of coatedmaterial in the stack. The coated sheet stacked furthest away from thesupport body (preferably the topmost sheet in the stack) is individuallyremovable from the stack to reveal the next successive coated sheet inthe stack. Preferably the coated first surface of this successive coatedsheet forms a new polishing surface. In this arrangement, the operatorof the polishing apparatus is able to replenish the polishing surfaceand to ensure that both the cartridge and the polishing apparatusmaintain their performance.

Preferably, all of the plurality of coated sheets are dimensionallysimilar to each other and when carried by the support body are alloriented in similar alignment with each other.

Preferably, the polishing material disposed on the first surface of thetop most (the sheet stacked furthest away from the support body) coatedsheet in the stack may either be the same as or different from thepolishing material disposed on successive coated sheets. Further, theparticle size of the polishing material disposed on the coated topmostand successive sheets, can be in ascending, descending or random order.Advantageously, the polishing material coated on the first surface ofthe topmost sheet in the stack is more abrasive than the next successivecoated sheet in the stack. Further preferably, the polishing materialcoated on the first surface of the topmost sheet is a coarser abrasivethan the next successive coated sheet in the stack.

Advantageously, the one or more coated sheets are each associated withremoval facilitation means to facilitate the removal of each coatedsheet from the support body. In the case where more than one coatedsheet is collated in a stack on the support body, the removalfacilitation means facilitates the removal of the topmost coated sheetin the stack, preferably without simultaneously removing any of thesuccessive coated sheets in the stack.

Most advantageously, removal facilitation means is associated with eachof the one or more coated sheets and comprises a finger operable tab. Inuse, the operator grips a finger operable tab associated with one of thecoated sheets (e.g. the coated sheet stacked furthest away from thesupport body i.e. the topmost sheet), between thumb and fore finger, andpulls the gripped finger operable tab and its associated coated sheet ina direction away from the support body. By this method, the coated sheetstacked furthest away from the support body (the topmost sheet) may betorn from the stack to reveal the coated first surface of the nextsuccessive coated sheet.

The polishing apparatus of the present invention operates particularlyeffectively when the polishing surface is associated with resilientmeans for resiliently deflecting the polishing surface towards theintermediate section to enable engagement or contact between the two.Preferably, the resilient means comprises a deformable materialpositioned between the support body and the non-coated surface of acoated sheet. Suitable deformable materials include rubber or similar.As an alternative, particularly but not exclusively, when the polishingsurface comprises a layer of polishing material disposed on the supportbody, the support body itself may comprise a deformable material of thetype described above.

Preferably, the polishing apparatus according to the present inventioncomprises one or more coated substrate bodies which are attached to thesupport body using substrate body attachment means. The coated substratebodies should be held securely so that the coating cannot move relativeto the support body, i.e. if the support body moves, the abrasive movestoo. This ensures efficient polishing. The substrate body attachmentmeans can include any arrangement that is adapted to maintain and/orhold and/or grip the one or more coated substrate bodies in place on thesupport body, for example whilst the polishing apparatus is in use.Example substrate body attachment means include, for example, stapling,hook and loop fastening tape, sewing, welding, ultrasonic welding,riveting, one or more clips, heat staking and adhesive.

When the one or more coated substrate body comprises one or more coatedsheets, they will preferably each comprise at least one edge which isadapted to be engaged by the substrate body attachment means. Ideally,the substrate body attachment means will comprise one or more clips, forexample in the form of posts and/or barbs, which are adapted to engagewith the one or more coated sheets. In the case where a stackedplurality of coated sheets is used, each of the coated sheets in thestack will comprise a first edge which is aligned with a correspondingfirst edge in all of the coated sheets in the stack. Advantageously,this alignment of first edges enables attachment of the stack to thesupport body using a single substrate body attachment means e.g. theabovementioned clips. Multiple substrate body attachment means may alsobe used.

Preferably, at least one of the one or more coated sheets carried by thesupport body is under tension. This is advantageous i) because looseabrasive may migrate or spread laterally to the extent that it touchesand dulls the edges of a running base, so it is important to controlwhere the abrasive material is on the polishing surface ii) it ensuresthat the substrate body and therefore the polishing surface is able toadopt the desired profile, iii) it enables an efficient contact betweenthe polishing surface and one or more portions of the intermediatesection. Also, when the coated sheets are under tension, a cut patternof elements which form the polishing surface (as described above)protrudes more effectively from the first surface of the coated sheet.

To operate the polishing apparatus to treat a running base (such as anice skate blade), it is necessary first to insert a running base betweenthe one or more pairs of first and second blade alignment guides suchthat the polishing surface makes contact with, or engages with, theintermediate section between the two opposing blade edges. The first andsecond blade alignment guides are adapted to constrain the running base(ice skate blade) so that the polishing surface does not make anycontact with the two opposing blade edges. Whilst the polishing surfaceis in contact with the intermediate section, the polishing surface andthe intermediate section are then caused to move relative to each other.For example, the running base and/or the polishing apparatus may bemoved in long or short strokes back and forth, preferably along the fulllength of the intermediate section of the running base blade, betweenthe forward and rearward ends of the running base blade. This relativemovement may at least in part be achieved manually by the operator, orby an automated system. The polishing apparatus of the present inventionis particularly effective when the polishing surface and theintermediate section are moved relative to each other in single strokesreciprocating between the forward and rearward ends of the blade. Inaddition, or alternatively, an actuation device may be used for drivingvibratory motion (e.g. short strokes of reciprocating motion) whichcauses the polishing surface and the intermediate section to move inshort reciprocating motion relative to each other. Suitable actuationdevices include a solenoid, pneumatic, clockwork, hydraulic, a windinghandle, a friction wheel driven off the running base or associatedsurfaces, any motor and any other form of power. An external low voltagepower source may be used for example a charger which plugs directly intothe mains to provide the power, or alternatively a low voltage chargercould be used to recharge one or more batteries held internally withinthe polishing apparatus. Preferably the invention further comprisescoupling means for coupling the support body to the actuation device.

The polishing apparatus as described above, wherein the actuation devicefurther comprises coupling means, for example comprising a drive dog andwherein the support body further comprises a drive dog receiving means,wherein the drive dog receiving means is adapted for receiving andretaining the drive dog.

A polishing apparatus according to the present invention wherein thepolishing surface is capable of polishing at least a portion of theintermediate section, up to but not including (i.e. without any contactbeing made with) the two opposing blade edges of a running base.

In a third embodiment, the present invention further provides a methodof using the polishing apparatus described above to treat a running basethat has a blade with two opposing blade edges separated one from theother by an intermediate section, comprising the steps:

-   -   i) inserting a running base between the one or more pairs of        first and second blade alignment guides such that the polishing        surface makes contact with the intermediate section;    -   ii) causing relative movement between the polishing surface and        the intermediate section, preferably substantially along the        full length of the blade; and    -   iii) continuing step ii) for at least 1 second, and preferably        for up to 1 minute preferably for up to 2 minutes until the        intermediate section between the opposing blade edges of the        running base is treated, preferably to obtain a polished mirror        finish and further preferably treated to the extent necessary to        observe an improvement in the performance of the running base.

Preferably, the present invention provides a method of using thepolishing apparatus described above to treat a running base that has ablade with two opposing blade edges separated one from the other by anintermediate section, comprising the steps:

-   -   i) inserting a running base between the one or more pairs of        first and second blade alignment guides such that the polishing        surface makes contact with the intermediate section;    -   ii) causing relative movement between the polishing surface and        the intermediate section, preferably substantially along the        full length of the blade;    -   iii) continuing step ii) for at least 1 second and preferably        for up to 1 minute and further preferably for up to 2 minutes;    -   iv) removing the running base from between the one or more pairs        of first and second blade alignment guides and removing from a        stack of sheets of coated material carried by the support body,        a sheet of coated material which is stacked furthest away from        the support body, to reveal a next successive sheet of coated        material in the stack; and    -   v) repeating steps i), ii) and iii); and optionally    -   vi) repeating steps iv) and v).

Preferably, steps iv) and v) are repeated until the intermediate sectionis treated to obtain a polished mirror finish and further preferablytreated to the extent necessary to improve the performance of therunning base.

Further preferably, the present invention provides a method of using thepolishing apparatus described above for treating a running base that hasa blade with two opposing blade edges separated one from the other by anintermediate section, comprising the steps:

-   -   i) inserting an running base between the one or more pairs of        first and second blade alignment guides until the polishing        surface makes contact with the intermediate section;    -   ii) engaging the actuation device to drive reciprocating (e.g.        vibratory) motion of the polishing surface relative to the        running base;    -   iii) causing relative movement between the polishing surface and        the and the intermediate section, preferably substantially along        the full length of the blade;    -   iv) continuing step iii) for at least 1 second, preferably for        up to 1 minute and further preferably for up to 2 minutes until        the intermediate section between the edges of the running base        blade is treated;    -   v) removing the running base blade from between the one or more        pairs of first and second blade alignment guides, disengaging        the actuation device and removing from a stack of sheets of        coated material carried by the support body, a sheet of coated        material stacked furthest away from the support body to reveal a        next successive sheet of coated material in the stack; and    -   vi) repeating steps i), ii), iii) and iv); and optionally    -   vii) repeating steps v) and vi).

Preferably, the polishing apparatus of the present invention is a handheld device; alternatively the polishing apparatus may be mounted, forexample on a work bench or similar.

Further preferably, each of the alignment guides upstand perpendicularrelative to the longitudinal axis of the support body. Further, the twoopposing alignment guides in the first pair are separated one from theother by a distance greater than the width of the top portion of thesupport body at its forward end and the two opposing alignment guides inthe second pair are separated one from the other by a distance greaterthan the width of the top portion of the support body at its rearwardend.

Advantageously, the method of treating a running base in accordance withthe present invention yields significant and measurable improvements inthe performance of the running base. Performance improvement can becategorised by the skater in several ways including, but not limited, toan improvement in the glide quality and speed performance, theefficiency of the skate to convert work done into work output.

The action of “treating” a running base blade preferably involvespolishing the blade, particularly the intermediate section between thetwo opposing blade edges, so as to create a smooth, preferably mirrored,finish. In particular, the treatment achieved by the apparatus of thepresent invention preferably at least reduces and further preferablyremoves, the scratches and roughness which in the case of an ice skateare left on the intermediate section of an ice skate blade as a resultof it being sharpened using a dressed grinding wheel.

As noted above, the intermediate section may comprise the base of thehollow that is ground in the running base. When this is the case, stepi) of the process of the present invention preferably involves insertinga running base between the first and second blade alignment guides untilthe polishing surface makes contact with the base of the hollow. Thewording “base of the hollow” is to be understood as referring to eitherthe portion of the crescent shape (in the case of a hollow with acircular profile), or the portion of the flat base for example in BFD™or Flat bottom V™ profiles as described above, which is around themidpoint of the hollow between but not including the two opposing bladeedges of the ice skate blade.

In a fourth embodiment, the present invention also provides a runningbase that has been treated using the polishing apparatus describedabove.

In a particularly preferred arrangement of the polishing apparatus ofthe present invention, the support body is removable from the polishingapparatus. Thus, in a preferred fifth embodiment, the present inventionprovides a cartridge for use in and preferably removable from thepolishing apparatus for treating a running base that comprises a bladewith two opposing blade edges separated one from the other by anintermediate section, as described above, wherein the cartridgecomprises:

-   -   a support body and blade alignment guide means;    -   wherein the support body is capable of carrying a polishing        surface which comprises:    -   a profile which is adapted to conform with one or more portions        of the intermediate section;    -   and wherein the blade alignment guide means comprise one or more        pairs of first and second blade alignment guides, wherein first        and second alignment guides in each one or more pairs are        separated from each other by the polishing surface, and further        wherein the blade alignment guide means is adapted to receive,        guide and constrain an ice skate blade so that when the        polishing surface and the intermediate section between the two        opposing blade edges of the ice skate blade are brought into        contact with one another, there is no contact between any        portion of the polishing surface and any part of the two        opposing blade edges of the running base blade.

A preferred cartridge according to the present invention comprises bladeedge relief means or zone for ensuring that no part of the two opposingblade edges of the ice skate blade come into contact with any of i) thepolishing surface, ii) the one or more pairs of first and second bladealignment guides and iii) the support body, when the polishing surfaceand the intermediate section between the two opposing blade edges of therunning base are brought into contact with one another. The blade edgerelief means comprises first and second blade edge relief channels whichcomprise no part of i) the polishing surface, ii) the one or more pairsof first and second blade alignment guides or iii) the support body,wherein a first blade edge relief means is located intermediate betweenthe one or more first blade alignment guides and the polishing surface,and a second blade edge relief channel is located intermediate betweenthe one or more second blade alignment guides and the polishing surface,and further wherein the first blade edge relief channel is adapted toreceive one of the two opposing blade edges of the ice skate blade, andthe second blade edge relief channel is adapted to receive the other ofthe two opposing blade edges of the ice skate blade.

The features and alternatives described above, particularly in relationto the support body, the blade alignment guides, the polishing surface,the polishing material, the coated substrates, the removal facilitationmeans, the resilient means and the substrate body attachment means, areall directly applicable to use in relation to the cartridge.

Preferably the present invention provides a cartridge in which thesupport body further comprises coupling means for coupling the supportbody to an actuation device, of the type described above, which isadapted to drive reciprocating (vibratory) motion of the polishingsurface relative to a running base blade.

In a sixth embodiment, the present invention provides polishingapparatus for polishing an running base which comprises two opposingblade edges separated one from the other by an intermediate section,wherein the polishing apparatus comprises:

-   -   blade alignment guide means, as described above,    -   a support body capable of carrying a polishing surface, as        described above, which support body is optionally removable, and    -   a polishing surface alignment system;    -   wherein the polishing surface alignment system is adapted to        provide an alignment between the polishing surface and the        intermediate section which is independent of the alignment        between the running base and the exterior or mounting datum of        the polishing apparatus about an axis parallel to the axis of        the skate blade as a whole.

Particularly preferably, the present invention provides a seventhembodiment of a polishing apparatus for polishing a running base thatcomprises a blade with two opposing blade edges, separated one from theother by an intermediate section, the polishing apparatus comprising:

-   -   a body housing comprising a first and a second opposing side        wall and a third base wall which extends between and links the        first opposing side wall to the second opposing side wall,    -   wherein each of the first and second opposing side walls and the        base wall, comprise i) an inside surface, which inside surfaces        cooperate to form the inside of the body housing, and ii) an        outside surface, which outside surfaces cooperate form the        outside of the body housing;    -   an elongate slot formed in the base wall of the body housing,        wherein the elongate slot extends between and through the first        and second opposing side walls; a support body capable of        carrying polishing material, wherein the support body is        optionally removable; and    -   a polishing surface alignment system for facilitating an        alignment of the polishing material with the intermediate        section which is independent of the alignment between the ice        skate blade and the polishing apparatus as a whole;    -   the polishing surface alignment system comprising:    -   a cradle for receiving the support body, and which cradle is        movable through a range between a first and a second position;        and    -   at least one, preferably at least two, and further preferably        four, gimbal linkages each of which is adapted to cooperate with        one, preferably one of at least two, and further preferably one        of four, first pivot means and with one, preferably one of at        least two, and further preferably one of four, second pivot        means;    -   wherein the cradle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the        elongate slot and is adapted to be mounted inside the body        housing between the inside surfaces of the first and second        opposing side walls;    -   and wherein the at least one, preferably at least two, and        further preferably four, gimbal linkages are adapted to        facilitate movement of the cradle within the body housing        between the first and second positions.

Preferably the polishing apparatus described above includes bladealignment guide means.

Advantageously the present invention provides a polishing apparatus asdescribed above wherein two, of the at least two, preferably four, firstpivot means are each attached to one of two portions of the cradle whichare adjacent to the inside surface of the first opposing side wall andthe other two of the four first pivot means are each attached to twoportions of the cradle which are adjacent to the inside surface of thesecond opposing side wall; and wherein two of the four second pivotmeans provide pivotable attachment means for attaching at least one,preferably two of the four gimbal linkages to the inside surface of thefirst opposing side wall and the other two of the second four pivotmeans provide a pivotable attachment means for attaching the at leastone, preferably the other two of the four gimbal linkages to the insidesurface of the second opposing side wall.

A further preferred polishing apparatus as described above wherein thepolishing surface alignment system is adapted to facilitate movement ofthe cradle between the first and second positions about a virtual pivot,wherein the position of the virtual pivot is located remotely of theoutside surface of the base wall, and is aligned with the intersectionbetween the longitudinal axis of the elongate slot and the midpointbetween the first and second opposing side walls.

The advantages provided by the above described cradle and first andsecond pivot means permit the cradle and the polishing surface attachedthereto to move through a range between a first and a second positionpreferably substantially about an axis parallel to the axis of the skateblade so that the polishing surface tends to align with the intermediatesurface as the intermediate surface is rotated about its long axis.

To assist in sliding the running base within the elongate slot when thepolishing apparatus as described above is in use, rolling elements areprovided on opposing sides of the elongate slot. Conveniently, therolling elements described above comprise two or more wheels which aremounted within the housing body and which are each independently adaptedfor rotation about a respective central axis and preferably this axis isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate slot.

In this particularly preferred embodiment of the present inventionrelative movement between the polishing surface and the intermediatesection may be provided as described above. Further it is advantageousto employ an actuation device for driving reciprocating (vibratory)movement of the support body carrying the polishing surface, relative tothe cradle. Desirably, the reciprocating movement is in a directionparallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongate slot.

The features and alternatives described above, particularly in relationto the support body, the blade alignment guides, the polishing surface,the polishing material, the coated substrates, the removal facilitationmeans, the resilient means and the substrate body attachment means, areall directly applicable to use in relation to the apparatus of the fifthembodiment of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that the polishing surface alignment system whichcomprises: a cradle for receiving the support body, and which cradle ismovable through a range between a first and a second position; and

at least one preferably at least two, and further preferably four,gimbal linkages each of which is adapted to cooperate with one of atleast two, preferably one of four, first pivot means and with one of atleast two, preferably one of four, second pivot means;

wherein the cradle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongateslot and is adapted to be mounted inside the body housing between theinside surfaces of the first and second opposing side walls;

and wherein the at least two, preferably four, gimbal linkages areadapted to facilitate movement of the cradle within the body housingbetween the first and second positions.

Preferably the polishing apparatus is further provided with a biasingspring, deflection of which results in the actuation of a switch.

It is also to be realised that features of the alignment systemdescribed above may also be useful in other treatment applications, forexample devices for sharpening running bases, general blade sharpeningand sanding, or any other application where it is essential to ensurealignment between the face of the object being treated and the surfacewhich is performing the treatment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to thefollowing figures in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a side view of a representative blade for anice skate;

FIG. 2A shows a part cross section through the plane A-A in FIG. 1 of arepresentative blade for an ice skate typically used in figure skatingor ice dancing;

FIG. 2B shows a cross section through a corresponding plane A-A of arepresentative blade for an ice skate typically used in ice hockey;

FIG. 2C shows a cross section through a corresponding plane A-A sectionof a representative blade for an alternative design of ice skate—a flatbottomed V grind profile, used in ice hockey;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a handheld polishing apparatusaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 throughthe plane B-B when it is in use together with the representative iceskate blade as shown in FIG. 2B, the latter also shown in cross sectionalong a corresponding plane A-A;

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of the topside of a handheld polishingapparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of the underside of the handheldpolishing apparatus shown in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A shows the same perspective view of the topside of the handheldpolishing apparatus shown in FIG. 5A except that the top section of theapparatus housing has been removed to reveal the inside mechanism of thepolishing apparatus in more detail;

FIG. 6B shows the same perspective view of the underside of the handheld apparatus shown in FIG. 5B except that the base section of theapparatus housing has been removed to reveal the inside mechanism of thepolishing apparatus in more detail;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a removable cartridge with apolishing surface for use in the polishing apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 shows the removable cartridge depicted in FIG. 7 with polishingmaterial supported by the polishing surface; and

FIG. 9 shows the handheld polishing apparatus as shown in FIG. 6B withsome of the elements of the inside mechanism removed in order to reveala blade alignment system in detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring firstly to FIG. 1, there is shown a side view of arepresentative ice skate blade 1, which has a blade body 2 which has aforward end 3 towards the front of the blade body 2, a rearward end ortail 4 towards the back of the blade body 2, and opposing upper 5 andlower 6 portions of the blade body 2. The upper portion 5 has a toeplate 7 and a heel plate 8 through which fastening means (not shown) isused to secure the ice skate blade 1 to the underside of an ice skatingboot (not shown). The lower portion 6 of the blade body 2 provides theblade edges 10 which, when the ice skate is in use, contact the surfaceof the ice. At the forward end 3 of the blade body 2 there is a toe rake9 which helps the wearer of the ice skates to achieve, for example,jumps, spins and stops.

FIG. 2A shows a part cross section through the plane A-A of arepresentative blade, as shown in FIG. 1, for an ice skate typicallyused in figure skating or ice dancing. The blade body 2 a has a lowerportion 6 a that has two opposing blade edges 10 a, 10 b which areseparated one from the other by an intermediate section 11 a.

FIGS. 2B and 2C shows a similar view to that in FIG. 2A except that therepresentative ice skate blades are those typically used in traditionalice hockey blade and a new design of ice hockey blade, respectively. InFIGS. 2B and 2C, the blade body 2 b, 2 c respectively, has a lowerportion 6 b, 6 c respectively, that has two opposing blade edges 10 c,10 d and 10 e, 10 f, respectively, which are separated one from theother by an intermediate section 11 b, 11 c, respectively.

The intermediate section 11 a, 11 b and 11 c extends between and up tothe respective two blade edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 10 e and 10 f,formed on the lower portions 6 a, 6 b and 6 c, but does not include anypart of the blade edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 10 e and 10 f.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a handheld polishing apparatus 14according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The apparatushas an elongate and open ended square “U”-shaped blade-receiving channel15 formed by two opposing parallel walls which form first and secondblade alignment guides 17,18 respectively that upstand perpendicularlyfrom, and are separated one from the other by, a horizontal base 16. Thehorizontal base 16 has a raised elongate ridge-like support body 20formed on it, which runs coaxially with the longitudinal axis of theelongate blade-receiving channel 15. The apex of the ridge-like supportbody 20 provides a polishing surface 22 and has polishing material 24disposed thereon. The polishing surface 22 is also adapted to have anexternal profile that corresponds with the profile of the intermediatesection 11 between and up to, but not including any part of, the twoblade edges 10 which are located on the lower portion 6 of the bladebody 2 of the ice skate blade to be polished.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 throughthe plane B-B when it is in use together with the representative bladeshown in FIG. 2B, the latter also shown in cross section along a planecorresponding to A-A. As can be seen, the first and second bladealignment guides 17, 18 serve to constrain the orientation of the bladebody 2 by contacting the outer surfaces 12 a, 12 b of the blade body 2.In this way, the polishing material 24 on the polishing surface 22 canbe ensured to contact the intermediate section 11 between and up to, butnot including any portion of, the two blade edges 10. The apparatus 14further includes two edge relief channels 26, 27 which assist to ensurethat no part of the two blade edges 10 are contacted by the polishingsurface 22 and/or the polishing material 24. The two edge reliefchannels 26 and 27 are each formed by an elongate void and each channelhas an axis that runs parallel to the axis of the blade receivingchannel 15. Specifically, edge relief channel 26 is located between thefirst blade alignment guide 17 and the support body 20, and edge reliefchannel 27 is located between the second alignment guide 18 and thesupport body 20.

When the apparatus 14 is in use, a section of the lower portion 6 of ablade body 2 of an ice skate blade 1 is inserted into the bladereceiving channel 15; in so doing, the orientation of the blade body 2is constrained by the first and second blade alignment guides 17, 18.The operator then pushes the blade body 2 towards the polishing surface22 so that the intermediate section 11 between and up to, but notincluding any portion of, the two blade edges 10, comes into contactwith the polishing material 24 on the polishing surface 22. Whilst thiscontact is maintained, the user moves the polishing apparatus 14, in astroking motion that is guided by the first and second blade alignmentguides 17 and 18, along the lower portion 6 of the blade body 2, to andfro between the forward end 3 and the rearward end 4 of the blade body2. In this way, the apparatus achieves a polished mirror finish on theintermediate section 11 which is between and up to, but not includingany portion of, the two blade edges 10.

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of the top side of a handheld polishingapparatus 114 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.The apparatus 114 comprises a housing 128, formed by two base portions129 a and 129 b and a top portion 130. The top portion 130 has agenerally dome-shaped profile, with opposing first and second sideregions 131, 132. FIG. 5B illustrates the underside of the apparatus114, and shows the presence of an elongate and open ended generallysquare “U”-shaped blade receiving channel 115 that is formed between thebase portions 129 a and 129 b of the housing 128. As can be seen, thischannel 115 extends between and through the first and second sideregions 131, 132 of the top portion 130.

FIG. 6B illustrates the apparatus 114 shown in FIG. 5B, except that thebase portions 129 a and 129 b of the housing 128 have been removed sothat the internal structure of the blade receiving channel 115 can beseen more clearly. In particular, FIG. 6B shows that the apparatus 114includes a cartridge 134 which carries polishing material 124 and whichcartridge is positioned within, and removable from, the elongate channel115.

As shown in FIG. 7, the removable cartridge 134 has a central beam 136with a forward end 138 and a rearward end 139. One pair of opposingfirst and second blade alignment guides 117 a, 118 a are located at theforward end 138 and another pair of opposing first and second bladealignment guides 117 b, 118 b are located at the rearward end 139, ofthe central beam 136. Each of the alignment guides 117 a, 118 a, 117 band 118 b upstand perpendicular relative to the longitudinal axis of thecentral beam 136. Further, the two opposing alignment guides in thefirst pair 117 a, 118 a are separated one from the other by a distancegreater than the width of the top portion of the central beam 136 at itsforward end 138 and the two opposing alignment guides in the second pair117 b, 118 b are separated one from the other by a distance greater thanthe width of the top portion of the central beam 136 at its rearward end139.

As shown in FIG. 7, the central beam 136 of the cartridge 134 has araised elongate ridge-shaped support body 120 which runs coaxially withthe longitudinal axis of the central beam 136. The purpose of thesupport body 120 is to carry polishing material 124, as shown in FIG. 8.The polishing material 124 can, for example, be disposed directly intothe support body 120, or, as shown in FIG. 8, be coated onto sheets of asubstrate material 140, 142 a and 142 b (not shown) which are overlaidand aligned one with the other in a stack 143 (not shown) that iscarried by the support body 120. The topmost surface 144 of thepolishing material 124 of the topmost substrate material 140 in thestack 143 (not shown) provides a polishing surface 122 which has anexternal profile which corresponds with the profile of the intermediatesection 11 between and up to, but not including any part of, the twoblade edges 10 which are located on the lower portion 6 of the bladebody 2 of the ice skate blade to be polished.

Also as seen in FIG. 8, each of the overlaid and aligned coated sheetsof substrate material 140, 142 a, 142 b (not shown) has a first pair ofslots 145 a, 145 b on one side of the central beam 136, and acorresponding second pair of slots 146 a, 146 b (not shown) on the otherside of the central beam 136.

The overlaid and aligned coated sheets of substrate material 140, 142 a,142 b (not shown) are retained by the support body 120 as follows. Thecoated sheets of substrate material are similar to each other, and whenthey are overlaid and aligned with one another, each slot 145 a, 145 b,146 a (not shown), 146 b (not shown) in a first coated sheet ofsubstrate material 140 is aligned with the slots that are in identicalpositions in all of the coated sheets of substrate material beingoverlaid. Referring again to FIG. 7, the cartridge 134 has a first pairof clips, 148 a, 148 b, which are spaced one from the other and arelocated along the same long side of the central beam 136. The cartridge134 also has a second pair of clips 149 a, 149 b, which are positionedalong the other long side of the central beam 136, so that the positionof each clip in the second pair 149 a, 149 b opposes the clips in thefirst pair 148 a, 148 b respectively. Each of the clips 148 a, 148 b,149 a, 149 b protrude from their respective side of the central beam136, and are adapted to be received by one of the aligned slots 145 a,145 b in the aligned stack 143 of aligned coated sheets of substratematerial 140, 142 a, 142 b (not shown).

A further feature of the coated sheets of substrate material 140, 142 a,142 b (not shown) is that they are each cut with an interlocking pattern150. This forms a series of raised interlocking finger-shaped sections152 which protrude from the coated surface of the substrate material 140when the coated sheet of substrate material 140 is foldedsub-horizontally over the central beam 136 of the cartridge 134. It isthese raised interlocking finger-shaped sections 152 which provide thepolishing surface 122 which engages with, and thereby achieves thepolished mirror finish on, one or more portions of the intermediatesection 11, particularly the portions that are between and up to, butnot including any portion of, the two blade edges 10 of the ice skateblade 1. The finger-shaped sections 152 are slightly resilientlydeformable when pressed upon, and thereby, in use, resiliently deflectthe polishing surface 122 towards the intermediate section 11. Thus, thepolishing surface 122 as disposed on the finger sections 152 remains incontact with the intermediate section 11 when the apparatus 114 is inuse.

FIG. 8 illustrates that the coated sheets of substrate material 140,142a, 142 b (not shown) each have a tab portion 154, 156, present inconnection with coated sheet 140 and 142 a respectively, which isdesigned to be gripped between the forefinger and thumb of the user ofthe apparatus 114 and pulled sharply away from the support body 120 soas to tear the topmost coated sheet of substrate material 140 from thestack 143, to reveal the next successive coated sheet of substratematerial 142 a. Substrate material 142 b is the bottom most coated sheetof substrate material and it does not have a tab portion; there will beno need to remove this bottom most coated sheet from the support bodybecause there is no next successive coated sheet of substrate materialwhich is able to be revealed.

Referring back to FIG. 6B, the apparatus 114 is also provided with arechargeable battery 158, and a power input socket 160 through which theapparatus 114 can be connected to an external power source to charge thebattery 158.

FIG. 6B further shows four rolling guide wheels 162 a, 162 b, 162 c and162 d which are mounted in first and second opposing pairs on eitherside of the blade receiving channel 115. The rolling guide wheels 162 a,162 b, 162 c and 162 d each have an axis of rotation that isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade receiving channel115, and their function is to engage with and roll over the opposingouter surfaces 12 a and 12 b of the blade body 2 by rotating about theirrespective axis of rotation as the blade body 2 is moved to and froduring the polishing operation as described above. The guide wheels 162a, 162 b, 162 c and 162 d are particularly useful to assist in guidingthe skate body 2 smoothly within the blade receiving channel 115 duringthe polishing operation. They provide gross alignment of the apparatusand prevent high forces from being applied to the cartridge. In additionto the above described rolling guide, FIG. 6A also shows that twofurther rolling guides 163 a and 163 b are also provided, and which areoriented so their axis of rotation is also perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the blade in the receiving channel 115 but alsoperpendicular to the axis of rotation of rolling guides 162 a-d, suchthat the axis of rotation for the rolling guides 162 a-d and rollingguides 163 a-b, and the longitudinal axis of blade receiving channel115, are mutually three-way perpendicular to each other. The purpose ofthe rolling guides 163 a and 163 b is to help to control the movement ofthe blade in the blade receiving channel and to remove load beingexerted on the bottom slot, and in turn prevent high forces beingtransmitted to the cartridge in a perpendicular direction to the rollingguides 162 a-d.

A further important feature of the present invention is the provision ofa polishing surface alignment system 164 which not only aligns thepolishing surface 122 with the intermediate section 11 of the blade body2 (i.e. it ensures that no part of the two opposing edges 10 of theblade body 2 are also contacted by the polishing surface 122), but alsothe polishing surface alignment system 164 ensures that this alignment(between polishing surface 122 and intermediate section 11) isindependent of the orientation of the running base blade 1 relative tothe polishing apparatus 114 as a whole.

Looking again at FIG. 6B in conjunction with FIG. 9, these Figures showa gimbal frame 166 which carries a cradle 168 which, in turn, receivesthe support body 120. FIG. 9 in particular shows the same view of theapparatus 114 as illustrated in FIG. 6B, except that the gimbal frame166 and battery 158 have been removed to more clearly reveal themechanism by which the cradle 168 is attached to the gimbal frame 166.The cradle 168 is moveable between first and second positions about avirtual pivot point (not shown). Specifically, this virtual pivot pointis located remotely of the outside surface of the base portions 129 aand 129 b of the apparatus housing 128, and is aligned with the point ofintersection between the longitudinal axis of the blade receivingchannel 115 and the midpoint between the first and second pairs of bladealignment guides 117 a, 118 a and 117 b, 118 b, respectively. Themovement of the cradle 168 between first and second positions is enabledby four gimbal linkages 170 a, 170 b, 170 c, 170 d, each of whichcooperate firstly with one of four first pivot means 172 a, 172 b, 172c, 172 d, and secondly with one of four second pivot means 174 a, 174 b,174 c, 174 d. The second first pivot means 174 a, 174 b, 174 c, 174 dare pivotally attached to the gimbal frame 166 (as shown in FIG. 6B),and enable the cradle 168 to hang from the gimbal frame 166 and swingabout the virtual pivot point (not shown). Thus, when the apparatus 114is in use, since the polishing surface 122 (as supported by support body120) is mounted within the cradle 168, it swings with the cradle 168between the first and second positions of the cradle 168, and thepolishing surface 122 is maintained in contact with the central portionof the intermediate section 11 independently of the orientation of theskate blade 1 relative to the apparatus 114 as a whole.

As shown in FIG. 6A the polishing apparatus 114 has a motor 164 which,when actuated, drives reciprocating movement of the support body 120 andits associated polishing material 124 relative to the cradle 168, in adirection of movement that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of theblade receiving channel 115.

Referring to FIG. 8, the removable cartridge 134 has a pair of flexures178 a, 178 b which are elongate leg members which are substantiallyparallel with, but extend in a direction diametrically opposite to thatof, the blade alignment guides 117 a, 117 b, 118 a, 118 b. An importantpurpose of the flexures 178 a, 178 b is to provide means by which toseat the removable cartridge 134 within the cradle 168 whilst permittingit to reciprocate parallel to the skate blade.

A further feature of the apparatus of the present invention as shown inFIG. 6A, is the provision of a gimbal frame which is i) pivotablymounted within the apparatus, and ii) biased by a spring 180. Applyingload via the cartridge to the gimbal frame causes a deflection which isused to actuate a switch 182 that activates the motor when sufficientload is applied. Thus, spring 180 controls the pressure at the workfaceover a limited range, and the switch 182 will not operate until thespring 180 is compressed by at least a certain amount in order to ensurethat no polishing occurs until there is sufficient force to activate themotor. This prevents the abrasives moving about in an uncontrolledfashion, and also ensures that the cartridge will tend to self-centreinto the radius of hollow, as it needs to be pressed into the radius ofhollow before it starts reciprocating. The spring 180 is chosen to berelatively hard and when mounted in the polishing apparatus it is notfully compressed, so that when a skate is inserted between the opposingblade alignment guide means and pushed too hard, the skate engages withthe wheels 163 a and 163 b as a result, the force exerted on thepolishing surface by the blade is governed by the compression of thespring 180.

Various optional features of the invention have been described above inparticular combinations by way of example only, such optional featuresmay be combined in other ways without restriction to the scope of theinvention, which is defined by the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. Polishing apparatus for polishing anintermediate section of a running base of a skate blade, the skate bladecomprises a blade with two opposing blade edges which are separated onefrom the other by the intermediate section, the polishing apparatuscomprising: a body housing comprising at least a first and a secondopposing side wall and a third base wall which extends between and linksthe first opposing side wall to the second opposing side wall, whereinthe first and second opposing side walls and the base wall each comprisean inside surface which inside surfaces cooperate to form the inside ofthe body housing, and an outside surface which outside surfacescooperate to form the outside of the body housing; an elongate slotformed in the base wall of the body housing, wherein the elongate slotextends between and through the first and second opposing side walls; asupport body carrying polishing material having a polishing surface; andan alignment system disposed within the elongate slot of the housing forfacilitating alignment of the support body, including the polishingmaterial, with the intermediate section of the blade; the alignmentsystem comprising: a cradle for receiving the support body, and whichcradle is movable between a first and a second position; and at leastone gimbal linkage mounted within the housing which is adapted tocooperate with a first pivot means and with a second pivot means;wherein the cradle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongateslot and is mounted inside the body housing between the inside surfacesof the first and second opposing side walls; and wherein the at leastone gimbal linkage is adapted to facilitate movement of the cradle andthe support body within the body housing between the first and secondpositions via the first and second pivot means to thereby align thesupport body, including the polishing material, with the intermediatesection of the skate blade but not any part of the two opposing bladeedges of the running base during polishing.
 2. The polishing apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the polishing surface comprises a pluralityof coated sheets which are overlaid one on top of the other in a stackwhich is adapted to be carried by the support body.
 3. The polishingapparatus according to claim 2 wherein one or more of the plurality ofcoated sheets are removable from the support body, and optionally one ormore of the plurality of coated sheets are replaceable with one or morefurther coated sheets.
 4. The polishing apparatus according to claim 2wherein each of the plurality of coated sheets comprises a thin sheetmaterial coated on a first surface which provides the polishing surface.5. The polishing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the polishingsurface is associated with resilient means for resiliently deflectingthe polishing surface towards the intermediate section between the twoopposing blade edges of the running base.
 6. The polishing apparatusaccording to claim 5 wherein the resilient means comprises a deformablematerial disposed between the support body and the polishing surface. 7.The polishing apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the polishingsurface has raised polishing elements that are adapted to be resilientlydeformable when they engage one or more portions of the intermediatesection between the two opposing blade edges of the running base.
 8. Thepolishing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an actuationdevice for driving reciprocating relative motion between the polishingsurface and the intermediate section.
 9. The polishing apparatusaccording to claim 4 wherein at least one of the coated sheets comprisesa pattern that is cut therein, the cut pattern is such that whenopposing edges of the at least one coated sheet comprising the cutpattern are folded in a direction away from the coated first surface,one or more raised polishing elements are adapted to protrude from thecoated first surface of the respective folded cut coated sheet.